Odysseus tells the story of his travels to Alcinous. He talks about going to Ismarus where he and his comrades killed the Cicones men, and stole the women and many items that were valuable. They went to the island of the lotus eaters and some of Odysseus' men eat the lotus and they became addicted to the fruit. The harsh winds blew him off course to the islands of the Cyclops. There are many goats on this island. When he wakes up he brings a gift of of his best wine and they go into the cave and they wait. The Cyclops come and eats some of Odysseus' men and he is really rude. They can't get out of the cave because a boulder is coving the opening of the cave. They only way to get out was to hurt the Cyclops. Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his name is nobody. Odysseus and his men get the Cyclops drunk then spear him in his eye with a fiery spear. They hide under the male sheep so they can escape. He goes to the boat and he says that his name is Odysseus to the Cyclops then the Cyclops curses Odysseus that he should never return to Ithaca . If he ever return home then he shall be late.
Major Themes (and page numbers): (Helen)
Homeric metaphor p.112: bright-haired Dawn
Homeric metaphor p.114: rosy-fingered Dawn
Homeric Hero: the whole chapter because it is telling of Odysseus's triumph over the Cyclopes.
What is the first thing that Odysseus reveals to Alcinous? (Winnie)
Odysseus thinks the singer is very good. And he is very happy about the feast.
What happened on Ismarus? (Winnie)
He sackes this place and destroyed its menfolk.
What happens if you eat the lotus fruit? (Winnie)
You will want to stay there and think no more of home.
What lives on the island next to the Cyclopes? (Winnie)
A luxuriant island, covered with woods, which is the home of innumerable goats.
What does the Cyclops do when he enters the cave? (Winnie)
Whe he enters the cave, he shepherds his flocks and carrying a huge bundle of dry wood to burn at supper-time.
How does the Cyclops treat Odysseus and his men? (Olivia)
He was simply talking to the men and questioning their reasons for being on the island. He told him about how the Cyclopes don't worship any of the gods.
What does the Cyclops do after hearing about Poseidon’s actions? (Olivia)
He lunges and out and grabs some men. The ones he grabbed he ate for his dinner.
Why can’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops? (Olivia)
He cannot kill him because he sealed the cave and the remaining men would be trapped.
What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is? (Olivia)
He said his name was Nobody.
What “gift” does the Cyclops give to Odysseus? (Olivia)
He says he will eat Nobody last.
What do the men do to Polyphemus? (Pam)
They stabbed his eye and made him blind.
How do Odysseus and his men escape? (Pam)
They strapped themselves to the bellies of Polythemus's flock.
What was the prophecy that Telemus made to Polyphemus? (Pam)
He said that Polyohemus would be over come by wine and loose his eyesight to Odesues. He also says that Polyphemus would pray to Poseidon and that Poseidon would hear his prayer and do what he asks of him.
What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon to for? (Pam)
He prays that Poseidon never let Odysseus reach his home in Ithaca and if he does that he will find that all his comrades have died, he comes on a foreign ship, and that he finds trouble at home.
Chapter 9 - The Cyclops
Summary: (Alexa)
Odysseus tells the story of his travels to Alcinous. He talks about going to Ismarus where he and his comrades killed the Cicones men, and stole the women and many items that were valuable. They went to the island of the lotus eaters and some of Odysseus' men eat the lotus and they became addicted to the fruit. The harsh winds blew him off course to the islands of the Cyclops. There are many goats on this island. When he wakes up he brings a gift of of his best wine and they go into the cave and they wait. The Cyclops come and eats some of Odysseus' men and he is really rude. They can't get out of the cave because a boulder is coving the opening of the cave. They only way to get out was to hurt the Cyclops. Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his name is nobody. Odysseus and his men get the Cyclops drunk then spear him in his eye with a fiery spear. They hide under the male sheep so they can escape. He goes to the boat and he says that his name is Odysseus to the Cyclops then the Cyclops curses Odysseus that he should never return to Ithaca . If he ever return home then he shall be late.Major Themes (and page numbers): (Helen)
Homeric metaphor p.112: bright-haired Dawn
Homeric metaphor p.114: rosy-fingered Dawn
Homeric Hero: the whole chapter because it is telling of Odysseus's triumph over the Cyclopes.
Locations Traveled and Mentioned: (Amber)
Cyclops's Cave.Study Guide Questions:
What is the first thing that Odysseus reveals to Alcinous? (Winnie)
Odysseus thinks the singer is very good. And he is very happy about the feast.
What happened on Ismarus? (Winnie)
He sackes this place and destroyed its menfolk.
What happens if you eat the lotus fruit? (Winnie)
You will want to stay there and think no more of home.
What lives on the island next to the Cyclopes? (Winnie)
A luxuriant island, covered with woods, which is the home of innumerable goats.
What does the Cyclops do when he enters the cave? (Winnie)
Whe he enters the cave, he shepherds his flocks and carrying a huge bundle of dry wood to burn at supper-time.
How does the Cyclops treat Odysseus and his men? (Olivia)
He was simply talking to the men and questioning their reasons for being on the island. He told him about how the Cyclopes don't worship any of the gods.
What does the Cyclops do after hearing about Poseidon’s actions? (Olivia)
He lunges and out and grabs some men. The ones he grabbed he ate for his dinner.
Why can’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops? (Olivia)
He cannot kill him because he sealed the cave and the remaining men would be trapped.
What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is? (Olivia)
He said his name was Nobody.
What “gift” does the Cyclops give to Odysseus? (Olivia)
He says he will eat Nobody last.
What do the men do to Polyphemus? (Pam)
They stabbed his eye and made him blind.
How do Odysseus and his men escape? (Pam)
They strapped themselves to the bellies of Polythemus's flock.
What was the prophecy that Telemus made to Polyphemus? (Pam)
He said that Polyohemus would be over come by wine and loose his eyesight to Odesues. He also says that Polyphemus would pray to Poseidon and that Poseidon would hear his prayer and do what he asks of him.
What does Polyphemus pray to Poseidon to for? (Pam)
He prays that Poseidon never let Odysseus reach his home in Ithaca and if he does that he will find that all his comrades have died, he comes on a foreign ship, and that he finds trouble at home.